Welcome to the Suoi Mo Home! Pronounced swee muh, this happy home is situated off a well-traveled highway that connects Da Lat to Ho Chi Minh City. This facility is operated by the Lovers of the Cross Sisters of Thu Duc and houses about 20 people: three sisters, two volunteers, and, of course: the children!
This new building opened in 2008. Construction costs and other property improvements were funded entirely by the Blind Vietnamese Children Foundation.
Here is a gathering of the residents of Suoi Mo and some friends standing at the main door of the home. The superior of the house, Sister Nhan, stands at the right with Sister Thoa (far right) who received her special education training at a school in Boston. Many of the children at Suoi Mo are multi-impaired, facing other developmental challenges along with sight issues.
Two novices (sisters in formation) sing with the children. Learning songs, poems, and stories helps the children develop memorization skills and gives them a valuable means to express themselves.
This is the original building at the foot of the hill. It stands right on the road. Before the new building opened, this was home to all those people!
Here are a bunch of "little workers" carry on in the back of the building. They might not be accomplishing much, but they are certainly enthusiastic about their activity! Sight and hearing limitations do not appear to hinder them from taking up shovels and digging in the earth.
The property at Suoi Mo is quite large. On the hill that rises behind both the new and old buildings grow hundreds of tea bushes and some coffee trees.
A couple of the teachers spend time harvesting the tea.